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Jury goes out in Lee Rigby trial | Jury goes out in Lee Rigby trial |
(35 minutes later) | |
The jury in the trial of two men accused of murdering soldier Lee Rigby has retired to consider its verdict. | The jury in the trial of two men accused of murdering soldier Lee Rigby has retired to consider its verdict. |
Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, are accused of attacking Fusilier Rigby with a car before hacking him to death. | Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, are accused of attacking Fusilier Rigby with a car before hacking him to death. |
In his closing speech, the prosecutor said their actions were "indefensible in the law of this country". | In his closing speech, the prosecutor said their actions were "indefensible in the law of this country". |
The judge dismissed Mr Adebolajo's defence that he was a "soldier of Allah". Both men deny the charges. | The judge dismissed Mr Adebolajo's defence that he was a "soldier of Allah". Both men deny the charges. |
The men face counts of murdering Fusilier Rigby and of the attempted murder of a police officer near Woolwich Barracks in south-east London on 22 May. | The men face counts of murdering Fusilier Rigby and of the attempted murder of a police officer near Woolwich Barracks in south-east London on 22 May. |
However, the men no longer face charges of conspiracy to murder a police officer. | However, the men no longer face charges of conspiracy to murder a police officer. |
'Political point' | 'Political point' |
In his closing speech, prosecutor Richard Whittam QC said the murder of Fusilier Rigby was "indefensible in the law of this country". | In his closing speech, prosecutor Richard Whittam QC said the murder of Fusilier Rigby was "indefensible in the law of this country". |
"Killing to make a political point, to frighten the public, to put pressure on the government or as an expression of anger is murder and remains murder whether the government in question is a good one, a bad one, or a dreadful one," he said. | "Killing to make a political point, to frighten the public, to put pressure on the government or as an expression of anger is murder and remains murder whether the government in question is a good one, a bad one, or a dreadful one," he said. |
Mr Adebolajo's defending barrister, David Gottlieb, told jurors that they "genuinely have a choice" to acquit his client, and that they will be under pressure "from outside, from the mob, from the world, to convict". | |
Regarding the attempted murder charge, Mr Adebolajo claimed that he ran at marksmen clutching a meat cleaver in a bid to get himself shot. | |
Michael Adebowale's defending barrister, Abbas Lakha QC, said he had taken a gun as he had the same aim. | |
'Cool, calm consideration' | |
"That is what both defendants intended - that they would be shot and therefore would achieve martyrdom," said Mr Lakha. | "That is what both defendants intended - that they would be shot and therefore would achieve martyrdom," said Mr Lakha. |
Mr Justice Sweeney told jurors that they must not allow emotion to influence their decision. | |
He said: "Guarding against speculation or emotion entering into your deliberations is particularly important in cases of this type. What's required of you is a cool, calm, careful and dispassionate consideration of the evidence." | |
The judge also told jurors the two men were discharged from any further consideration of one count of conspiracy to murder a police officer for each defendant, saying that it overlapped with the allegation of attempted murder. |
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